Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2005

During its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004), the World Heritage Committee requested the State Party to provide a report on corrective measures to limit the negative impact of the replica of the Gorée/Almadies Memorial on the site, as well as on progress made in setting up an administrative system to appoint a site manager, for consideration by the Committee at its 29th session in 2005.

In a letter of 28 January 2005, the State Party provided the following information:

a)A decision had been taken by the Ministry of Culture and Listed Historic Heritage to implement alternative measures regarding destruction of the Memorial.

b)An administrative decree for the creation of a World Heritage Site manager position had been circulated for approval.

At the time of the preparation of this document, the World Heritage Centre had not received information from the State Party on details of the strategy for the implementation of corrective measures and on the effective appointment of a manager for the Island of Gorée responsible for the elaboration of a Management Plan for the property. Moreover, the buildings in the northern zone of the Island (William Ponty School, School of the Sisters, Pavillion of the Sisters and Annexes, Military Hospital, Guardian’s Camp) remain seriously threatened with collapse. The World Heritage Centre has not received information on the measures to be taken to halt maritime erosion, or the follow-up by the State of Qatar to the request for financing a project for the protection of the littoral of the Island of Gorée.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2005

Adopted

Draft Decision

29COM7B.37

Island of Gorée (Senegal)

3. Expresses its concern over information concerning the grave threats of collapse that continue to endanger the buildings in the northern zone of the Island (William Ponty School, School of the Sisters, Pavillion of the Sisters and Annexes, Military Hospital, Guardian's Camp), as well as the lack of a solution to halt maritime erosion to the west of the property;

4. Stresses the need to undertake urgent work in order to prevent the collapse of the buildings in the northern zone of the Island and halt maritime erosion;

5. Reiterates its request to the State Party of Senegal to provide the World Heritage Centre with a report, by 1 February 2006, on the strategies that will be implemented regarding corrective measures to limit the negative impact of the replica of the Gorée/Almadies Memorial on the property, and on progress made in putting in place an administrative system to appoint a site manager, for examination by the Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006).

3.Expresses its concern over information concerning the grave threats of collapse that continue to endanger the buildings in the northern zone of the Island (William Ponty School, School of the Sisters, Pavillion of the Sisters and Annexes, Military Hospital, Guardian’s Camp), as well as the lack of a solution to halt maritime erosion to the west of the property;

4.Stresses the need to undertake urgent work in order to prevent the collapse of the buildings in the northern zone of the Island and halt maritime erosion;

5.Reiterates its request inviting the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a report, by 1 February 2007, on the strategies that will be implemented regarding corrective measures to limit the negative impact of the replica of the Gorée/Almadies Memorial on the site, and on progress made in putting in place an administrative system to appoint a site manager, for consideration by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).